Energy United

One of the main objectives of the European Union’s energy policy is to increase energy efficiency and reduce its dependence on energy imports. The current policy agenda is based on the comprehensive integrated climate and energy policy adopted by the European Council, which aims to improve energy efficiency by 32.5% by 2030. In December 2019, the European Union adopted the European Green Deal to achieve full decarbonisation by 2050. In December 2020, the European Green Deal agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The European Green Deal identifies energy efficiency as one of the most important drivers for achieving the European Union’s climate goals. It is estimated that energy efficiency measures can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the growing climate change. Energy efficiency needs to be improved along the entire chain, from production to end-use of energy.

In order to promote a change in the mindset of energy users, the Institute of Energy Systems and Environment of Riga Technical University has launched the (unbudgetary) initiative “Energy United”, inviting every energy user to reduce their consumption of electricity, heat and energy resources (fuel), which is also consistent with the energy saving goals set out in the REPower plan.

The campaign was launched in mid-March, inviting energy users to share their experiences of reducing energy consumption on social networks. The campaign received the greatest response from students and schoolchildren. The experience gained showed that it is necessary not only to share positive experiences of energy saving on the Internet, but also to encourage all energy users to understand and motivate them to actively take measures to reduce energy consumption. This is especially important in the environment of energy-poor households. The first stage has been completed and the next steps must follow, in which it is planned to continue the “Energy United” initiative on a wider scale. The “Energy United” campaign has created a platform that can cover various target groups, including not only municipalities and educational institutions, but also the state, household, industrial, service and commercial sectors, which makes the project applicant appropriate and capable of implementing the national-scale “Energy United” project.

The goal of the project is to create a national-scale interactive, informative and analytical tool – the “Energy United” platform – to promote the active involvement of residents, businesses, municipalities and communities in energy consumption reduction activities in everyday life, thus promoting public responsibility in strengthening Latvia’s energy independence and ensuring a long-term impact on achieving national energy efficiency goals. The project will seek and create solutions to enable every resident and business operator, through their daily habits and choices, to achieve significant energy savings and adapt to the changing challenges of the future caused by climate change and geopolitical conditions. The “Energy United” platform encompasses several dimensions – the creation of the “Energy United” label, the development and approval of the “Energy Audit in Your Home” methodology, the provision of advisory support to energy-poor households and municipalities, the strengthening of “Energy-Knowledgeable” knowledge transfer activities, the dissemination of awareness and information, and more active integration into various target groups of society.

PROJECT FUNDED BY:

Latvian Environmental Protection Fund

PROJECT DURATION:

September 30, 2022 – September 29, 2025

PROJECT BUDGET:

200 000.00 Eur

SCIENTIFIC LEADER OF THE PROJECT:

PUBLISHED:

22.11.2022.